Charlotte.com

March 27, 2007

New access policy good for media, fans

Some very encouraging news for fans (and the media) out of the Pro Football Writers of America meeting this morning. The NFL is expected to approve a new media policy in the next few days that will make players and assistant coaches more accessible.

There still could be some tweaks to the final policy, but it appears as if the new rules will require all players to speak to the media at least once during the week and after every game during the regular season. The proposal also calls for coordinators to be available at least once every two weeks and other assistant coaches to grant “reasonable access’’.

The Panthers haven’t had a media situation as difficult as some other teams (the Patriots and Broncos pop quickly to mind) in recent years, but the new policies would be a big positive.

Coach John Fox declared his assistants off limits last season and that made it difficult for fans to get any insight from any coaches other than Fox. If approved, the new policy will put defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac, who always was brutally honest before last year’s gag order, and new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson more in the spotlight. The rest of the coaches also will be more available and answers will be more than, “It is what it is’’.

Editor's note: Pat Yasinskas is the NFC South Division representative for the PFWA.